Once again, The Joker Blogs . And I own nothing of it.

Cassie had come home that night to a surprisingly empty house. She assumed that Kevin must be out with some friends, until she saw the note on the kitchen table.

Took my stuff and went to stay with Will. I think we both just need a little space for a while. Call me when you get your shit together. Don't mail the invitations.

Kevin

Cassie's eyes scanned the words on the sticky note over and over again, panic creeping up her spine. She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it. How could Kevin just up and leave her like that? Didn't he love her?

Her legs gave out and she fell, unceremoniously crumpling onto the floor, too shocked to cry.

This was how she stayed until she fell asleep, awoken the next morning by a faulty fire detector.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Cassie stood erect, angry and coffee drenched in the parking lot of a convenience store, glaring in an unforgiving manner at the woman who's daughter had bumped into her. The little girl hid behind her mother's leg, looking up at Cassie in fear and remorse. Her bottom lip trembled ever so slightly. Cassie shook her head slowly before saying as calmly as she could "No, no... it's-it's alright."

She proceeded to turn and walk away from mother and child, regretting the decision to wear white today of all days.

-ding ding ding-

Cassie glanced in confusion at the little light blinking on her dashboard. To her, it looked like a tiny engine, and it was flashing red.

"Hmm.."

She continued on her way to work, ignoring the soft noise and blinking light. All seemed to be fine, until a thin smoke began to cloud her vision. It took Cassie a moment to figure out that it was coming from under the hood.

"Oh, shoot!"

She carefully pulled the Volkswagen over to the side of the road and killed the engine. The smoke was leaking faster now. She was unsure of what to do, seeing as this had never happened to her before.

Cassie treaded delicately on the dirt in her stilettos, her black pencil skirt limiting her mobility. With a grunt of effort, she heaved the hood open.

Immediately, her eyes began to water and she coughed profusely thanks to all the smoke. She gasped for air, backing up and tripping, landing on her behind.

"Fuck, ow!" Getting up was the hard part. Once she'd managed this awkward task, her hands, knees, and elbows were scraped and dirty, and there were several small rips in her skirt.

"Ugh!" Cassie groped in her purse for her cell phone, planning to call her insurance company and demand a rental. There was an annoying sound coming from the phone, and it took her a moment to realize that there was no service.

"Dammit!" She threw the phone back into the car, where it landed with a thunk on the passenger seat, and slammed the door shut, wiping her bangs from her sweaty forehead. There was a small click, and Cassie's eyes widened in horror. She whipped around and pulled the door handle multiple times, but it was no use. She'd locked herself out.

She groaned in frustration and leaned against the car, sliding all the way down to the ground. She was about to lose all hope, before she spotted the hazy outline of a car coming over the hill toward her. She stood and waved her arms in the air, yelling.

"Hey! Hey, over here! Stop!"

To Cassie's relief, she realized it was a police car, and she smiled gratefully when it stopped.

"Is everything all right, miss?" The police officer stopped his car and got out, removing his aviators and surveying the scene. She could only imagine what he saw; a car that was spewing smoke, and a harried, filthy woman who looked as if he was her savior.

"No!" she yelped, out of breath. "My car just broke down, and my cell has no service!"

The cop ran a hand through his platinum blonde curls and said "Is there somewhere I can take you?" She nodded yes, and he opened the back door to let her in.

"Alright, where to, ma'am?"

"Arkham Asylum, please. If you just keep going straight, you'll reach a fork. Take the left side, and you can't miss it."

The officer turned slowly in his seat to stare at her in disbelief. She thought he must be new, a rookie, because it seemed as if the thought of going anywhere near the Asylum caused him a bit of grief.

"You work at Arkham?"

She nodded again, growing impatient with his unnecessary questions. "And I'm going to be late if you don't hurry. Please."

"Miss me?"

Cassie rolled her eyes and avoided his gaze, looking everywhere except directly at his face. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Dr. Arkham had placed them in the cafeteria for this session, no doubt hoping to appease both Cassie and Commissioner Gordon. He'd been muttering to himself all morning, things like "No right..," and "Can't just come barging into my institution.." Cassie wasn't particularly thrilled about it, but she decided not to voice her opinion, for fear of being taken off the case again.

"Well, let's just pretend that you did, for my sake, hmm?"

They sat at a long table by themselves across from each other, surrounded by the less violent patients, a few of which were staring in disbelief, almost awe. The Joker sat with a Styrofoam food tray in front of him, which contained a soggy looking sandwich, a ripe apple, a chocolate pudding cup, and a no doubt sour carton of milk. He ripped a bite of sandwich with his teeth and chewed obnoxiously, keeping his eyes on her face.

This was the last place she wanted to be at the moment. Her morning had been terrible so far, and the only act which seemed pleasing to Cassie was sipping a mug of perfectly warm hot chocolate and curling up with a good book. But alas, duty called.

A look of confusion and all-around edginess appeared on his face. She knew Joker wasn't used to this uncharacteristic silence, and she probably looked less than cheerful at the moment.

"Well?" he started, waving around the now half-eaten sandwich.

"Well, what?" she snapped.

"Aren't you gonna say it?"

"Say what?"

He flashed her a smirk, clearing his throat and sitting up straight, taking on a mock-professional tone.

"Dr. Gabriel over-seeing patient 4479.. blah blah blah."

Despite herself, the corner's of Cassie's mouth turned up slightly in amusement. But just as quickly, she was back to sulking.

"I hardly think that there's any point in following protocol. I mean, can't you see where we are?"

She gestured to their surroundings. The cafeteria itself was also constructed of white brick, and directly across from their table, there was a set of double doors, closely guarded by Lyle, who kept a wary eye on them at all times now.

"Taking you out of high security and placing you in the cafeteria with.. the non-violent crowd. Re-instating me as your doctor. Can't you see what they're trying to do?"

Joker's eyes squinted, and he leaned forward, interested.

"You are one of the rare prisoners of interest. They believe that if they can get on your good side, then you'll be more willing to cooperate."

He snickered, peeling the lid off of his pudding cup.

"That's ridiculous. I don't have a good side!"

She shuffled a few papers around and lost herself in the random chatter of the various groups of patients before she regained herself. "Yes, well.. you'll have to forgive me if I'm feeling a little less than willing myself today."

"Aww, whassa matter, Doc? Having a.. bad day?" He chuckled, no doubt enjoying his own private joke.

Her left hand rested on the table, and she gasped in surprise when he took it, squeezing gently. This tiny, fleeting act of compassion was all it took to send her over the edge.

"Take me," she whispered, vaguely aware of the burning in her throat.

"Hmm?" He'd let go. The act had been short-lived, but it still lingered in her sudden memory.

"Take me... take me away from this place."

His grin was so wide that she could see all of his yellowing teeth. Her eyes widened, fully comprehending how he must have taken her words.

"Oh, don't worry, Harley. Your time will come soon enough."